In the heart of downtown Calgary lies a tiny Italian bistro stocked to the brim with market fresh edibles and fine wines.

The newly opened Cucina Bistro has been welcomed into the downtown gourmet community with open arms. Directly across the street from Holts, it is the perfect spot for café au lait and dessert after shopping the day away. We went for something a bit heartier, the daily Market Fresh risotto with mushroom, leek and zucchini risotto.

Now we're ready for another round of retail. —Kait Kucy

Cucina Bistro, 515 8th Ave. SW, Calgary, 587-353-6565, www.eatcucina.com

It is easy to overdo it on a night like tonight. Try this spicy and sweet cocktail recipe piled high with delicious antioxidants from pomegranates and blueberries. (Don't forget the whiskey!)

Two p.m. lunches have become by favourite new trend in entertaining (although the Brits did it first). To pair with a seafood  and rabbit paella at a New Year's Day lunch, I'd serve the Passe-Tout-Grains (PTG) from Joie Farm, a classic Burgundian blend of Pinot Noir and Gamay. $24 www.joiefarm.com —Sarah Bancroft

Indulge in something a bit exotic as you toast to the New Year. Sakagura No Nigori Umeshu is a pressed plum wine that tastes absolutely heavenly after being chilled. The perfectly small bottles are excellent for toting to parties and for gifting to the hostess!  $25.99 at www.bin905.com —Kait Kucy

A visit to The Vibrant Vine is a real trip. And not just because it’s in Kelowna. Their psychedelic artwork covers almost every square inch of the winery (which I first discovered when I visited for this video series) and it also enwraps their signature pinot grigio. Vibrant Vine 2009 pinot grigio, $23.50 at Darby’s Cold Beer and Wine, 2001 Macdonald St., Vancouve. —Kelsey Dundon

For some of the season’s best boozy buys, we went to sommelière extraordinaire Jessica Harnois. "Most people know wines from the Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc but for the holidays, nothing beats a good Chenin Blanc. This rich, floral and well-rounded wine pairs beautifully with white meat (like turkey) and works as either an aperitif or served with the main course. I particularly like a French classic: Domaine FL Le Parc Savennières 2007, a prestigious appellation from the Loire region.” 23.60 at SAQ.

Not having a sweet tooth, I prefer a glass of red wine at the end of the meal. And when it is Township 7s 09 Merlot with its notes of Raspberry and Cocoa dust, well who needs desert? —SB $24.99 at www.township7.com

It is easy to over do it on the specialty coffees over the holidays. Try this spicy and sweet cocktail recipe piled high with delicious antioxidants from pomegranates and blueberries. Don't forget the whiskey.

Ingredients

2 shots of Spicebox Spiced Whiskey

1.5 cups Pomegranate Juice

0.25 cup Blueberry Syrup (I made mine by cooking blueberries with a dash of honey + water over low heat)

Scoop of Pomegranate Seeds

Method

Mix all ingredients in pitcher to create the ultimate cocktail punch for adults. Pour into chilled glasses of your choice and sprinkle some pomegranate seeds for a little somethin’ extra. For a real kick, warm up over low-medium heat for a cider-esque drink for cold days.

—Kait Kucy

Inspired by the Food Network (and hankering for some southern-fried eats), I picked up fresh okra from the grocery store and whipped up these crispy, soft-on-the-inside cornmeal snacks using delightful Hojiblanca Olive Oil (pictured) from Montreal. Paired with unsweetened lemonade, the only thing I'm left hankering for is a porch….

Fried Cornmeal Okra

Ingredients:

Fresh okra (sliced into 1/2 inch pieces)

1 cup cornmeal

1 egg

2 Tbsp milk

Fresh cracked pepper

Dash of salt

Olive & Olives 8 Hojiblanca Olive Oil

Method:

Fill heavy bottomed pot with 2 inches of vegetable oil. Whisk together egg and milk until smooth. In a separate bowl, mix together cornmeal, black pepper and salt. Dip okra slices into egg mixture and then roll in cornmeal mixture. Drop into oil and cook until golden. Remove with metal slotted spoon and place on paper towel lined plate. Pat dry to remove excess oil. Serve up with a squirt of avocado mayo. Enjoy!

—Kait Kucy

Find Olive & Olives 8 Hojiblanca Olive Oil, $18.95 at http://www.oliveolives.com

Peppermint, eggnog, cinnamon, cranberry: winter flavours are just made for hot mugs by the fire.

Belvoir’s Mulled Winter Punch ($8.95 for 750 ml bottle) is an excellent way to toast and be merry. With plenty of festive spices like nutmeg along with black currant and elderberry juices, you can serve up this non-alcoholic punch either hot or cold. For a bit of bubbly, top up with a pour of Prosecco.

Add red wine, sliced almonds and raisins in a slow cooker for the perfect après ski brew. —Kait Kucy

Savour Fine Foods and Kitchenware, 1331 9th Ave. SE, Calgary, 403-532-8222, www.savourfinefoods.com

Hotel Arts is known for its impeccable art, the rockstars who frequent it and the poolside dining at Raw Bar. And now they can add Asian fusion to that list.

Sushi lovers will find its new menu absolutely irresistible. With incredibly fresh dishes like the Teriyaki Beef and Asparagus Roll with kimchi aioli and citrus ponzu (pictured) and Steelhead Salmon Tataki served up with jimca and orange slaw, your mouth will be watering before the food even hits the table. Order up the tasty and aesthetically wonderful Blossom Cooler and you’ll be pleased as punch.

Now if only the poolside dining season would return quickly. —Kait Kucy

Raw Bar at Hotel Arts, 119 12th Ave. SW,  Calgary, 403-266-4611, www.hotelarts.ca/raw-bar.html

Taking inspiration from a long family farming history, the owner's of Bar C skipped the animals and opted to brand their new resto-lounge instead.

The bright and modern dining space is complimented by farm fresh ingredients straight from the CRMR Ranch, making this the perfect dinner spot to think and eat locally. Feeling a bit adventurous? Order up the CRMR Buffalo Tartare ($15) served with capers, gherkins and toast points for a taste of fantastic Alberta beef or the delicious CRMR Game Meet Balls ($14) in roasted tomato sauce.

How can you possibly stay away from Alberta-grown comfort food? —Kait Kucy

Bar C, 340 17th Avenue SW, Calgary, 403-984-3667, www.bar-c.ca

Coffee purists living uptown will delight in the opening of Fratello’s Analog Coffee right on 17th Avenue.

Order up a latte made with Fratello’s Godfather Espresso (made with beans roasted in-house) and you won’t regret it. The owners managed to salvage the remaining signage of the original tenants corner store and incorporated it into their crisp and cool design. The space, open and bright, leaves you with an impression of fine European culture;  an eclectic collection of prints and paintings fills one wall, while a growing collection of vinyl records flanks the espresso bar.

Filling their shelves with freshly baked Sidewalk Citizen sandwiches and baked goods, Analog Coffee's buzz-worthiness extends far past the caffeinne high. —Kait Kucy

Analog Coffee, 740 17th Ave SW, Calgary, 403-265-2112, www.facebook.com/Analog.Coffee

We've been there: hours of well-intentioned holiday baking that yields one pan of lopsided cupcakes (and a few empty Chardonnay bottles).

But even the most dire desserts can be rescued with the right packaging. Enter Aussie expat Jordan Bariesheff from Polkadot Prints Studio, creator of the most darling party supplies. The red-dot treat sticks ($4.60) are absolutely perfect for the holiday season - use them to present of-the-moment cake pops or pie pops. Several colours and prints are available for a chic mix-and-match display.

Half baked? Hardly! —Kait Kucy

Polkadot Prints Studio, www.etsy.com